Shay, Ephraim, 1839-1916

Born in Huron Co. Oh. July 17, 1839, reared by grandfather in N.J. Worked as bricklayer, cooper, teacher. May 10, 1861 enlisted in Third Michigan Regiment, then 8th Reg. of Missouri for 3 yrs. In 1864 purchased farm in Ionia Co., Mich. In 1871 went to Cadillac and ran lumber mill for 11 years. He built the first logging locomotive, later manufactured by the Lima Locomotive works, and built the Harbor Springs RR. He put the first water works at Harbor Springs in 1900 and sold it to the City in 1911. In June, 1864 he married Jane Henderson and had one son, Lette. He died in 1904. (Port & Biog. from Record of Northern Michigan... 1895. ; p. 461-2 Powers. Hist. of Northern Mich. v.3, pp. 1289-81) (blue index cards)

From the description of Ephraim Shay papers, 1876-1912 (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 502013893

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